summertime {part two}

 

“We all want to break our orbits, float like a satellite gone wild in space, run the risk of disintegration. We all want to take our lives in our own hands and hurl them out among the stars.”
― David Bottoms

 

 

<3 marks the spot - mt. hallasan, 7 july 2012

 

I suppose you couldn't've asked for better weather or a better location; in hindsight, everything seemed to have happened while I was slightly befuddled. I know I sort of downplayed it (aka the proposal) a lot, but really, it's a bit hard to put into words how I felt that day. No, I didn't cry; yes, I was completely thrown. And yes I had wanted to pee real badly - getting stuck on top of a dormant volcano with a huge need to visit the loo is no joke. In any case, I remember the quiet rustling wind, the sun beating down on us and making us all squinty-eyed, the moment he knelt down and I said yes really quickly to fend off curious onlookers (oopsie), the rather awkward feeling at having a ring on my finger (like a new extension of my self)...

 

Perfect moments don't need to be in a perfect setting, or happen on a perfect date with a perfect partner. Perfect moments come upon you when you least expect them to, when you are most yourself, and they are perfect each and every time you re-live them.

 

<3



summertime {part one}

 

 

 black pig bbq, our delicious first meal / wandering around / clambering over rocks / climbing up Seongsan Ilchulbong, a volcanic crater / rolling green hills / breathtaking view / we made it to the top / watched the famed haenyo do their thing

 

This is a small glimpse of my very short, but very special, time in Jeju back in July. I think the both of us did a 10km road march - literally - that day. I suppose it did help me shed some fats, but my poor feet had never before gone through such torture! For anyone and everyone who intends to drive on Jeju Island, apply for an international driver's permit! Don't get caught out like we did :( Ah well; all these scenic spots and delving into Jeju's women-as-family-provider culture was pretty worth it.



TRAVELOGUE #4: MORE YEOSU

 

 

 

Night out at Bodega

Hamming it up at Odong-do

Cafe-hopping and late night drinks

Shots with a dear Korean friend

Prettiest edible artwork

Dinnering at Diane, lovely restaurant on a hill

 

♥♥♥

TRAVELOGUE #3 - GWANGJU / JEONJU

G W A N G J U

My first solo bus ride out to Gwangju, which was about 2.5 hours away! Woke up kinda late that day but thank God I managed to find the bus terminal (a really nondescript building) and get on board the very next bus.

Sole scompany on the bus: sugarless wheat tea

The cutest pooch I spotted while out shopping



Insanely spicy thai food for a late lunch. what was most memorable about this lunch, though, was the FaceTime I had with my dear ole colleagues <3

Korean cafes are gorgeous. Nuff said.

Rollin', rollin' hills for much of the bus ride to and from yeosu

Stopped by the supermarket to get some groceries and had to make my own cardboard carton to lug it all back.
eco-friendly much!

J E O N J U

More of a train person than a bus person. Found it cute that they assigned seats to us on the train too.

Imma happy girl when I get my Starbucks java juice

Souvenirs

Fantastic getups, these palace guards

Catholic church on the outskirts of Jeonju

Sepia-toned selfie

Beautifully quaint traditional Korean homes converted into stores and museums

Wore my neon top to death in Korea.

Overdid the walkathon and scooted into this lovely cafe for this UHMAYZING RED BEAN DESSERT. The best way to beat the summer heat!

Hiked up a few flights of stairs for this

My colourful Bibimbap lunch :)

My day-offs from work were spent in these spots. It was here that I finally learnt how to enjoy travelling alone. I was pretty apprehensive at first, especially because I am quite a blurblock when it comes to navigating. But I came to enjoy my leisure time alone, and didn't feel self-conscious much. Glad I managed to get over my phobia of aloneness.